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Pakistan under siege : extremism, society, and the state

Why is Pakistan a locus for extremism? What drives the attitudes of this complex, richly textured country of more than 200 million people? Using rigorous analysis of survey data, in-depth interviews in schools and universities in Pakistan, historical narrative reporting, and her own intuitive understanding of the country, the author gives a multidimensional picture of Pakistan's relationship with extremism. -- from back cover.Read more...

A country of radicals? Not quite --
Bound to its narrative: the Pakistani state and terrorist groups --
Pakistan's legal Islamization --
An ideological education --
Islamists and madrassas --
An appraisal and a way forward --
Appendixes. A. The Objective Resolution ; B. Levels of education.

Responsibility:

Madiha Afzal.

Abstract:

Why is Pakistan a locus for extremism? What drives the attitudes of this complex, richly textured country of more than 200 million people? Using rigorous analysis of survey data, in-depth interviews in schools and universities in Pakistan, historical narrative reporting, and her own intuitive understanding of the country, the author gives a multidimensional picture of Pakistan's relationship with extremism. -- from back cover.

Reviews

Editorial reviews

Publisher Synopsis

Pakistan Under Siege: Extremism, Society, and the State, by the young academic Madiha Afzal, is a remarkably clear, concise, and accessible attempt to dismantle assumptions common among Westerners about public opinion in Pakistan. . . Afzal not only gives the lie to Western stereotypes about the prevalence of extremist beliefs in Muslim countries; she also looks closely and critically at the ways in which the Pakistani government has encouraged the country's militarization and what she refers to as its "Islamization."--Ahmed Rashid, The New York Review of Books A valuable guide to understanding some of the major problems and challenges facing Pakistani society and the measures required to resolve them.--Joshua Sinai, Perspectives on Terrorism Afzal explores the ways in which Pakistan's deep connections to the Islamic faith and its obsession with India shape the views and opinions of its citizens. Unlike books on similar topics, Afzal's coverage of the military, political parties (typically Islamist in nature), and civilian government introduces readers to an important side of Pakistan. Recommended.--CHOICE This is an important book, bringing to a foreign audience a nuanced understanding of Pakistan's challenges: how Islamization has affected society in recent decades and how institutions have responded. It's a tough and often disheartening story. Yet with diligent research and an open mind, Madiha Afzal leads us past stereotypes of violent extremists and cynical elites. She demonstrates that there is indeed a vital center in Pakistani society--and that this center can be the basis for the stability and prosperity that Pakistan could enjoy.--Cameron Munter, President, East-West Institute, and former U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan (2010-12) Madiha Afzal has pulled off the rare feat of writing a well-balanced and thoughtful account of extremism in Pakistan, describing its roots and also the extent of its influence, and offering some ideas about how Pakistan can move forward to a more tolerant future.--Peter Bergen, author of United States of Jihad: Investigating America's Homegrown TerroristsRead more...